Task List Programs - AnswersThatWork's famous Database of Windows Task Manager Processes, Windows Startup Items, XP Services, Vista Services, Process List

Through our IT Consultancy, Support and HelpDesk Services we often come across PC problems caused primarily by programs running in the background, programs which in most cases are started automatically when Windows boots up. 65% of computer problems we solve are caused by such programs. Sometimes these programs are useful and need to be there; quite often, however, they are not needed, and in too many cases they cause severe problems, and this includes some of Microsoft's own XP, Vista, and Windows 7 Services !

The pages below provide guidance on the usefulness or not of some of these background tasks, Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008 and Windows 7 services, and Windows Startups, and removal procedures when recommended. These pages are small extracts from the massive database of our Task Manager Replacement product, TUT, The Ultimate Troubleshooter.

In Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008 and Windows 7 you bring up the Task List of running processes by right-clicking on the Task Bar and choosing "Task Manager". In Windows 95/98/ME you can bring up the Task List (Windows Task Manager) by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del.